1. Understanding the dynamics behind the conflict
The Sahel conflict is a complex and ongoing crisis that began in 2012 and which affects millions of people across West Africa. The conflict involves several countries in the region, but current instability is more deeply associated with the Liptako-Gourma region, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the countries most affected by violence. Violence and conflict have also spilt over to coastal countries, such as Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.
The conflict in the Sahel is primarily rooted in a long history of ethnic and religious tensions, political instability and governance-related weaknesses, which have contributed to the rise of extremist groups and militias. Furthermore, conflicts over land use and resources between indigenous and non-indigenous people have also played a role in the escalation of violence in the region.
Another significant factor contributing to the Sahel conflict is environmental stress, particularly due to climate change. The Sahel is particularly vulnerable to rainfall variability, land degradation, and desertification due to its high dependence on rain-fed agriculture and pastoralism. Environmental stress and overpopulation can lead to high levels of food insecurity and water scarcity, which can exacerbate tensions and contribute to conflict.
A range of actors with different interests and agendas are involved in the conflict, with the primary actors being non-state armed groups, governments, and international organizations. The non-state armed groups, which include Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Boko Haram, and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), are often linked to extremist ideologies and seek to establish their control over the region.
Religious extremist groups and militias have gained popularity among marginalized communities due to a lack of state presence, poverty and unemployment by exploiting the security vacuum created by the collapse of the Libyan state in 2011, which consequently led to a proliferation of weapons and armed fighters in the region. These groups have been responsible for carrying out attacks on civilians, government officials, and security forces, causing widespread displacement and food insecurity.
The conflict has had devastating effects on the social and political fabric of the region, with recurrent conflicts since 2012 leading to significant human, political, and social consequences. According to the United Nations, the Sahel is facing one of the fastest-growing displacement crises in the world, with over 6.3 million people forced from their homes due to conflict and worsening insecurity. This displacement crisis has led to a significant humanitarian need for shelter, food, and water for those affected by the conflict.
The economic consequences of the conflict have also been significant, with developmental setbacks and decreased investment, trade, and productivity, as well as the destruction of human and physical capital through forced displacement and violence. The region already faces structural vulnerabilities and challenges, slow economic growth and poor development, which the conflict has exacerbated. Additionally, the Sahel conflict has had far-reaching political consequences, with severe implications for migration, criminality, and corruption.
2. Main International Efforts to Resolve the Sahel Conflict so far
The Sahel conflict has attracted significant regional and international involvement. Regional responses have focused on border areas, while international actors have provided military and financial support to the governments in the region. Key players in resolving the Sahel conflict include regional organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), as well as international organizations like the United Nations.
Regionally, the African Union has played a significant role in addressing the Sahel conflict by being actively involved in peacekeeping operations in the region, and working to promote peace and security in countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso. In addition to this, the so called Sahel Alliance was established in 2017 to promote economic and social development in the Sahel region through a partnership between African countries, international organizations, and donor countries. Funded by Sweden, a regional project has been launched to foster risk-informed solutions for sustainable development in Western Sahel and Lake Chad Basin countries. Such economic development initiatives can help to address the underlying causes of the conflict, promote stability, and improve the lives of people in the region.
Internationally, France has led the efforts to root out Islamist militancy from the Sahel since 2013, when it sent troops to Malialong. The United States has also asserted its diplomatic leadership in the region, calling for clear and targeted statements and strategic positioning to address the escalating insecurity and accompanying humanitarian crises. The U.S. has also appointed a Special Envoy to address the threat of violent extremist organizations in the Sahel.
Three military interventions have shaped the conflict in the region, including the French-led Operation Barkhane, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), and the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Although these regional military initiatives aim to improve security and stability in the Sahel, they are ineffective in addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as poor governance and poverty.
Community-based approaches to conflict resolution have also been employed. The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) has found success in preventing and mitigating community violence through a local approach to mediation. This approach is based on ancestral alliances between castes and helps to prevent conflict between populations who may have different cultural, linguistic, or religious backgrounds. Such community-based mechanisms have the potential to be more effective in addressing the root causes of the conflict and promoting sustainable peace, particularly when combined with other diplomatic and military efforts.
In an effort to address the consequences of the conflict, humanitarian aid and development programs that aim to strengthen local, national, and Sahel regional institutions in charge of managing instability and preventing violent conflict across the region have also been implemented. The UN has been actively involved in the region, mobilizing political will and resources to address the challenges faced by the Sahel region. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) specifically, has provided shelter assistance to thousands of forcibly displaced people in Burkina Faso, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has provided assistance to address humanitarian needs in West and Central Africa and the Sahel.
- Solutions for long-term peace in the Sahel region
Military interventions, economic and humanitarian aid to the Sahel region are crucial. Still, when done alone they serve as a `band-aid` solution and are ineffective for long term peace, since they focus on dealing with the consequences of the conflict rather than with the root issues.
One potential solution for long-term peace is for the local governments and the international community to focus more deeply on promoting economic development and environmental sustainability. As the World Bank Group has emphasized, the importance of accelerating growth and prioritizing climate adaptation to alleviate poverty and address food insecurity in the Sahel region cannot be overstated.
By promoting economic development and environmental sustainability, the Sahel region can become more resilient and better equipped to address the root causes of conflict. Efforts should focus on limiting the loss of human and physical capital by protecting social and developmental spending, and on integrating social cohesion and peacebuilding elements into humanitarian and development programs.
Another potential solution for achieving long-term peace in the Sahel region is to further foster dialogue and reconciliation among ethnic and religious groups, empower local communities and foster solution consensus regarding disputes over access to natural resources between nomadic and sedentary communities. This can include efforts to bring together government officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss their differences and find common ground. It is crucial to involve local communities and leaders in the process to ensure that solutions are sustainable and effective and that a collaborative approach involving regional and international organizations, local communities, and leaders is employed.
The United Nations, for example, has facilitated peace talks between the Malian government and armed groups in the north of the country, and the United States Institute of Peace has launched a two-year project to foster cooperation among Iraq’s ethnic and religious groups, which could serve as a model for the Sahel region. Additionally, the US Embassy has supported training for religious leaders on building tolerance and stability in their communities and fostering inter- and intra-faith dialogue. Such efforts can help build trust and create opportunities for resolving conflicts through peaceful means.
Finally, there is a need for a serious discussion to better identify and address the political tensions that have clear implications for how the conflict unfolds in the region. Effective governance can mitigate and prevent conflict in the region, thus, addressing the underlying political and governance-related weaknesses that have contributed to the conflict is critical in achieving long-term stability and security in the Sahel. Recognizing the connections between political and security developments in North Africa and the Sahel and reorganizing accordingly, as well as developing a comprehensive approach that addresses the interests of all actors involved, are essential steps in addressing the conflict.
To properly address conflict, a multisectoral approach that includes gender, population, nutrition, climate change adaptation, conflict management, and humanitarian response must come into effect. Policymakers and regional and international efforts to address the conflict must also take into account the complex and interconnected nature of the challenges that the Sahel faces. The conflict has left several African countries more vulnerable and less resilient to meet current challenges, only by focusing on sustainable solutions to address the root causes of conflict the Sahel region can become better equipped to address these vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, there is an urgent need to redouble regional and international efforts to address multiple, simultaneous crises in a comprehensive manner. As the conflict in the Sahel enters its eleventh year, it is crucial to prioritize long-term solutions that promote sustainable peace.
References
- The Sahel Beyond the Headlines: Population, Environment …. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from www.wilsoncenter.org
- Sahel situation. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/sahel-situation
- Politics at the Heart of the Crisis in the Sahel. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from www.csis.org/analysis/politics-heart-crisis-sahel
- Counter-Terrorism in the Sahel: Increased Instability and …. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from www.icct.nl
- Think Tanks’ reports on COVID-19 and the recovery fund. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from www.consilium.europa.eu
- Finding a Path through Quagmire. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from www.csis.org/analysis/finding-path-through-quagmire
- An Alternative Approach to U.S. Sahel Policy. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from quincyinst.org
- The Sahel | Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. (n.d.) Retrieved June 5, 2023, from dppa.un.org/en/sahel
By The European Institute for International Law and International Relations.
